Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-20
THE JEANETTE HERO GONE.
UNDOUBTEDLY AN INSANE AGr-HB ARCTIC RRcoR

oNOoooIhDLf AN INSANE A6T-HIS ARCTIC RECORD.
The Secretary Of the Navy received a telegram
from the commandant Of the Annapolis Naval
ACADEMY to-day stating that Lieut.. Jno w.
Danenhower, assistant to the cOmmandant OF
cadets, shot and killed himself at the academy
this morning, and that the act was undoubtedly
caused by insanity. The news rapidly spread
throughout the department., where Lieut.. Danen-
mower was well-known, and excited the greatest
grief No doubt was entertained of his insanity,
rs ne had been at one time an inmate OF the St.
Ellza0eth Insane Hospital several years before he
voiupteered for the Jeanette Arctic expedition,
IN winch ne gained worldwide reputation.
THE JEANNETTR EXPEDITION
was sent out in 1879 by James Gordon Bennett,
and, with the exception OF Chief Engineer Mel
Vile, Lieut.. Danenhower was the only surviving
eating officer OF the Jeanette, but had been re-
Commander belong before @ the % JeaEnette t. Went went
Isns sns 5sps Rss sns soSf
Melville N laiss in Command Of the third Cutter,
other two boats being in command OF Commander
De Long @ and Lieut.: Chipp: During a severe gale
cally assumed charge of the boat by taking the
helm, and it is generally conceded that the boat
ana crew were saved by his superior Skill It will
the shore, but pertshed before assistance reached
them. Lieut.. Chipp's boat went down. and no
trace OF the boats crew was ever found, although
them.
AFTER LIEUTENANT DANRNHowER RETURNED HOME
In 1882 he regained his health. He was on waiting
orders during the Jeanette court OF inquiry, and
was then granted years leave OF absence, during
which he delivered number OF lectures in differ.
ent paris OF the country. At the expiration OF his
leave he was assigned to duty on the training ship
Minnesota, and after few months service there
was oruered 10 duty at the Naval Academy In Sep
temOer, 1854, where he had since remained.
LIEUT.. DANENHowER AND GRN. GRANT.
Prior to the Jeanette expedition Lieut.. Danen-
hover was an officer on board the U. 8. g. Van
dal1a, on Which Gen. Grant was q passenger
during bis memorable trip around the world in
1871. Gen. Grant took quite fancy to young
Mr.. Bennett as an officer for his proposed jean
nette expedition. Lieutenant Commander De Long,
VINO aro commanded a9 the expedition, was not
sane until too late to protest against his
taking part in the expedition. He was an inmate
was discharged early in 1873, before the Vandaiia
cruise. NO doubt was entertained Of his insanity,
as ne had disappeared and was found wandering
young lady in New York about three years ago.
and leaves widow and three children He has
not seen any sea service since his return from the
Arctic regions.
POPULAR WITH THE CADETS.
AS an OFFICER at the naval academy he was ex.
ceedtngy popular with the cadets, and proved to
be an excellent officer. few days ago he took
the practtce-shp Constellation from Annapolis
to Norfolk, to be fitted for the annual spring
cruise. Naval Officers who saw him at Norfolk
the fact that his suicide followed after
his return to Annapolis gives rise to the suppo-
siu0n that the brief responsibility as commander
OF the Constellation was sufficient to unsettle his
He entered the naval service in 1855, and was
appointed from Illinois He was about thirty
seven years OF age His father and other relatives
reside In washington.
THE NRws RECEIVED By THE FAMILY.
Lieut.. Danenhower was the son of Mr. VIM. ".
Danenhower, the real estate dealer OF this city.
The family here were notified Of the sad occur
renee at Annapolis by telegram from Command
ann Samr son, at Annapolis, briefly announcing
this morning." This dispatch was received by his
brother, Mr. Washington Daaenhower, who, after
notifying the members Of the family at once pre-
started on the IL :l5 train. This afternoon the
father and other members OF the family were wait
ing at ,h taeir home 1921 street for the particu
I'VE know nothing, said the elder Mr..
1Ssn to sr4s n urns,
received by my son. I had q letter from
my son, written Sunday at Norfolk, in which
tSen ali ohI d' Ne H haG nap Heen 09t was
on the trip on the Constellation from Annapolis.
did not know that he was at Annapolis, but sup
came"
Mr. VIII Danenhower, brother OF the neuten-
ant, SAID TO STAR reporter this afternoon, that
been affected by the fear OF courtmartfal. as re-
ported In THE STARS dispatches still he said as
he understood It, his brother was entirely inno-
ing Of the Constellation, as the vessel was then
being toWed, and the tOw-bOat ran her aground.